Toilet apparatus



MU. .l ,MV1 7 n. H.....u.w...... 2 0 7 1 L ,6 0 z. 8 0 M w a@ 7@ .H Z 5M 5 54 A, h. y 1s n s s f, 2 e r Mw mm ..M 7 k 0o. 1 f e e h S 2 INVENTOR S M. G. GOLD ET AL TOILET APPARATUS Flled Ju Jan. 16, 1934. M. G. GOLD ET AL TOILET APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1929 2 lSheetS--Slleet 2 INVENTORS Max @.ald and a 'eZ/1 ./Worzfz.

Patented ulan. 16, 1934 earner orifice 'remitir APPARATUS Max G. Gold and Daniel A. Moritz, McKeesporhPa.

Application .luiy 6, 1929. Serial No. 376,344

23 Claims.

Our invention relates to toilet apparatus, and particularly to water closets of the usual type, comprising a fixed bowl and a separate seat. We have observed that in apparatus of this type, particularly when located in public places, the seat is frequently in an unsanitary condition, making the use of the apparatus undesirable and unhygienic. One object of our invention is to construct toilet apparatus in which the seat, when in use, is provided with a sanitary cover which is placed on the seat automatically before use and removed automatically after use. Another feature of our invention is the provision of mechanism for withdrawing the seat to an inoperative, and preferably concealed, position when the apparatus is not in use, thereby facilitating cleansinfJ of the bowl. The seat is then retained in this inaccessible position until required by a user, with the result that the seat is at all times in a clean condition. Other objects and advantages of vour invention will appear more fully from the follow ing description. v Y

We will describe one form of toilet apparatus embodying our invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view showing, in front elevation, one form of toilet apparatus embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail view oi a portion of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the parts in different positions. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the seat of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with a sanitary cover in place. Fig. 5 is a side view of a sanitary cover embodying our invention. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figs. l and 2, and also embodying our invention. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the electric circuits for controlling the apparatus shown in Figs.l 1 and 2. Fig. 9 is a detail View showing a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring iirst to Figs. 1 and 2, the reference character A designates a water closet bowl of the usual form, which may be provided with flushing mechanism forming no part of our present invention and not shown in the drawings. Located in rear ofthe bowl A is a supporting frame C comprising two side plates l, a bottom plate 2, a top plate 3, and a back plate 3'7. Journalled in the plates 2 and 3 is a drive screw 5 operated by some suitable means, such as an electric motor M. The drive screw 5 operates a movable seat B,

capable of assuming a position on the bowl A` to accommodate a user. As here shown, a block 6 is threaded on the screw 5 and is provided with a cross bar ,7 which enters slots 50 between ribs l on the confronting faces of the side plates 1 of frame C. Rotation of screw 5, therefore, moves block 6 up or down depending upon the direction of rotation or the motor. Pivoted on the cross bar 'l is an arm 9 which is biased inv a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, by springs 8. The seat B is hinged, at its rear end, to the free extremity of arm 9. l l

The reference character 20 designates a slide rod reciprocable in two guides 19 attached to the back plate 37 of the frame C.` Attached to the slide rod 20 is a collar 2l, and between this collar and the upper guide 19 is a spring 22 which urges the slide rod to a lower position in which the collar 21 engages the lower guide 19. When the block 6 occupies the position in which it is shown in the drawings, the block engages a projection 38 on the sli-cle rod 20, holding this rod in', an upper position in which the rod engages the plunger 36 of a switch L and opens contact Ell- 35. g

' Located above the bowl A is a magazine D 'containing a supply of r`sanitary covers E, one oi" kwhich is automatically placedupon the seat B as the seat moves from the position in which it is illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2 to its operative position on the bowl. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each cover E comprises a iiat main sheet El, provided with a centrally located hole E3, so positioned that when the main sheet overlies the top of the seat, the hole E3 registers with the usual opening B3 in the seat. We prefer to use a seat B having its front edge B1 substantially straight and provided with bevelled corners B2, and to construct each cover E with a pocket E2 formed by a downwardly turned flap integral with the main sheet El and united to the main sheet by a pleated portion l2 (Fig. 5) to permit the cover to be folded iiat, while allowing the'front edge of the seat to enter the pocket E2 without tearing, the cover. We prefer to construct the coversE of thin paper, but any other suitable material may be used.

A supply of the covers E is placed in the magazine D with the pockets of the coversat the bottom andrear. The coversY may be supportedk on pins 1G and are preferably urged by a spring 16 toward` the-back of the magazine which: is open at the lower. portion; asfbest'shown in Fig; 2r

The lower end of slide rod 20 carries a plate 28 (Figs. 2 and 9) to the free edge of Whichis rigidly attached a cross pin 38 passing through openings in the side plates 1 of frame C and cooperating with the lower surfaces 2i of these openings. Rigidly secured to the outer ends of this cross pin 38 are two lingers 25 and the parts are so proportioned that when the slide rod occupies its upper position, as shown in Fig. 2, the tips 25a of fingers 25 enter the pocket E2 of the rearmost cover E in the magazine D, and serve to guide the seat B into this pocket as the seat descends to its operative position on the bowl.

The parts normally occupy the positions in which they are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, from which it will be seen that the block 6 is holding the slide rod 20 in its upper position so that the fingers 25 enter the pocket in the rearmost cover E in magazine D, and the seat is immediately above this pocket. If now, the motor M is operated to drive the block 6 downwardly, the slide rod 20 also descends, and the forward edge of the seat enters the pocket of the rear cover E in the magazine. As the downward motion of the seat continues, the edge B1 of the seat fits snugly into the pocket E2 and automatically removes the cover from the supporting pins lo. The downward movement of the slide rod 20 also permits the iingers 25 to drop out of the pocket in the cover E, and the fingers then assume the positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The seat B continues its downward motion, carrying with it the cover E, which is spread smoothly over the top oi the seat by flexible rubber strips 14 and 15 attached to the edges of the magazine D. As the seat moves downwardly, it is guided by an arcshaped member 26 to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3, and in which the apparatus is ready for use. It will be observed from inspection of Fig. 3 that in its lower position, the arm 9 which carries the seat engages the plunger 30 of an electric switch G which will be described in detail hereinafter. As a result, the rear end of the seat is raised slightly above the bowl so that the weight of a person using the apparatus will force the seat downwardly and depress the plunger 30 of switch 7G.

Hinged to the lower side of the magazine D is a leaf 17, one function of which is to conceal and protect the mechanism behind it. To the lower edge of this leaf is attached a strip 18 which engages the top of the seat B when the seat is in its operative position. During the downward movement of the seat B, this strip slides over the seat and cover without interfering with these parts. If, however, the motor M is now operated to move block 6 upwardly, seat B is restored to its inoperative position, and during this return motion, the strip 18 engages the cover E and holds it while the seat is withdrawn, whereupon the used cover is deposited in the bowl A, and may be flushed away.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, the switch G comprises a hollow insulating housing containing two vertically extending electro-conducting slides 27 in each of which is a slidable metallic member 29 provided with a slot 29a. A plunger 30 carries a contact plate S1 and a strip of insulation 32, the opposite ends of which plate and strip enter the slots 29a in members 29. A spring 33 biases plunger 30 upwardly, and members 29 are thereby urged against stops 27a so that the switch G is normally closed. If plunger 30 is depressed the switch opens, and if the plunger is depressed still further, members 29 are moved downwardly in the slides 27 in which they are held lightly by spring strips 23 (Fig. 7). A very op movement of the plunger will again close the switch, and if the plunger is entirely released the parts return to the positions shown in Fig. 6.

The apparatus may he controlled by a starting switch indicated diagranimatically at S in 1. This switch contains a contact which may be closed momentarily and may he an ordinary push button, a coin-operated contact or any other form of circuit controller.

We prefer to operate the apparatus oy a motor M of the single phase alternating current type comprising an armature fic and a i7 and having the characteristics of operating in opposite directions upon currents ci opposite relative polarity, but functioning, if the motor has once commenced operation in either direction, to continue to operate in the same direction, if the relative polarity of the currents supplied to the motor windings is reversed.

For the purpose of reversing the relauive polarity of the current supplied to the motor windings we provide a quick-acting reversing switch R (Fig. l) having an operating lever R1 in the path of travel of the block 6 and arranged to be moved to one position as the block ascends, and to the other position as the block descends.

Referring now to Fig. 8, and assuming the parts to occupy the positions shown in Figs. i and 2, it will be seen that switches L and S are open but switch G is closed. Current therefore flows from a suitable source of energy, such as a generator K, through switch G to a slow pick-up relay J. As a result the relay is energized, but the motor M is deenergized, the armature and field circuits both being open at switches S and L. If, now, the starting switch S is closed momentarily, current flows from generator K, through switch G, front contact 45 of relay J, and switch S, thence directly through iieid 47 of motor M to generator K, and also through reversing switch R and armature 46 of motor M to generator K. The parts are so arranged that the resultant operation of motor M drives the seat downwardly to its operative position, as described above, placing a cover E upon the seat during this movement. As soon as this movement commences, switch L closes, and the motor circuits are thereafter held closed independently of the starting switch S, which opens after a brief interval. As the seat moves downwardly, block 6 trips the reversing switch, reversing the polarity of the current supplied to the armature s6, but since the motor is then in motion the motor continues to operate in the same direction. When the seat reaches the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 3, switch G is opened and the motor circuit is interrupted, so the motor immediately stops. Relay J also becomes de-energized. If, now, the seat B is depressed, as by the weight ci a person using the apparatus, the plunger S0 of switch G is depressed far enough to move the members 29 of this switch away from stops 27, so that the return of the plunger when the user leaves the seat again closes switch Gf. When this happens the circuit is again closed for relay J, and after a time interval the relay closes its front contact ll5. Since switch L is now closed, motor M is energized, but since switch R is reversed, the motor now drives the seat back to its inoperative position, permitting the cover to enter the 1cowl, as previously described. During the upward movement switch R is tripped, but the motor continues to operate in the same direction until the parts reach the positions shown in Fig. 2, whereupon switch L opens, to deenergize the motor and'restore the apparatus to normal.

One purpose of relay J is to prevent the withdrawal of the seat until-the expiration of a brief interval of time after the user has left the seat.

In actual practice, the motor, frame C, 'and all moving parts will usually be concealed by a door or housing which has been omitted from the drawings to illustrate the parts more clearly.

Although we have herein shown and described only one form of toilet apparatus embodying our invention, it is understood that various changes and modiiications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claimiis:

l. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat normally occupying an inoperative position, means for moving said seat to an operative position on said bowl, a magazine containing a supply of sanitary covers, and means for automatically placing one of said covers upon said seat during its movement to said operative position.

2. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat, a drive screw, a motor for operating said screw, a nut threaded on said screw and operatively attached to said seat, and means for operating said motor in opposite directions to move said seat toward and away from an operative position on said bowl.

3. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat normally occupying a vertical position above and behind said bowl, a sanitary cover for said seat, means for supporting said cover adjacent the seat in said vertical position, means for moving said seat to an operative position on said bowl, and means for automatically placing said cover on said seat while the seat is moving toward said operative position.

4. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat normally occupying an inoperative position, a magazine containing a supply of sanitary covers each having a pocket, means for moving said seat to an operative position on said bowl, said seat entering a pocket of one of said covers during said movement and carrying said cover with the seat to said operative position.

5. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat normally occupying an inoperative position, a magazine containing a supply of sanitary covers each having a pocket, means for moving said seat to an operative position on said bowl, means for guiding the forward edge of said seat into the pocket of one of said covers during said movement of the seat, the cover traveling with the seat to said operative position.

6. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat normally occupying an inoperative position a magazine containing a supply of sanitary covers each having a flat sheet for covering the top of said seat and a pocket to receive the forward edge of the seat, means for moving said seat to an operative position on said bowl, means for guiding the forward edge of said seat into the pocket of one of said covers during said movement of the seat, and means for smoothing the main sheet of said cover against the top of the seat as the seat carries the cover to its operative position.

7. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat normally occupying an inoperative position, means for moving said seat to an operative position on said bowl, and means effective if said seat is depressed and released after reaching its operative position for automatically restoring the seat to its inoperative position at the expiration of a time interval following the release oi the seat.

8. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat, means for moving said seat to and away from an operative position on said bowl, a magazine containing a quantity of sanitary covers, means for automatically placing one of said covers upon said seat during each movement of the seat to said operative position, and means for automatically removing the cover from the seat when the seat is moved away from its operative position.

9. rIoilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat having a substantially straight forward edge and bevelled front corners and normally occupying an inoperative position above and behind said bowl with said straight edge at the bottom, a magazine containing a supply of sanitary covers each having a pocket to iit the forward edge and covers of said seat, means for moving said seat to an operative position on said bowl, and means for guiding said seat into said pocket in such manner that the cover is carried with the seat to its operative position.

10. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a Vertical drive screw behind said bowl, a block threaded on said screw, means for preventing rotation of said block while permitting longitudinal motion along said screw, an arm pivoted to said block, a movable seat pivotally attached to said arm, a rst switch controlled by the position of said block, a second switch controlled by said arm, and a motor controlled by said iirst and second switches for driving said screw to move said seat to and from an operative position on said bowl.

1l. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat normally occupying an inoperative position, means for driving said seat to an operative position on said bowl, a magazine containing a sanitary cover having a pocket, a slide rod controlled in accordance with the position of said seat, a ringer operated by said slide rod and arranged to enter the pocket in said cover when the seat occupies its inoperative position to guide the seat into said cover as the seat moves to its operative position.

12. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat, a switch comprising a movable member biased to one position, a motor for moving said seat to an operative position, means for causing an initial movement of said member away from said one position when said seat reaches its operative position, means for stopping said motor following such initial movement of said member, means eifective when av user occupies said seat to produce further movement of said member, and means effective when said member moves in the opposite direction to operate said motor to move the seat away from its operative position.

13. In combination a fixed slide, a metallic member movable in said slide and having a slot, a plunger, a contact plate attached to said plunger and entering said slot but having one face spaced from the adjacent wall of said slot and covered by insulation in such manner that movement of the plunger in one direction breaks contact between said member and said plate but that the member'and the plate are in contact during movement of the plunger in the opposite direction.

ifi. Toilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a mov able seat, means for lifting said seat from said bowl and lor replacing the seat upon the bowl, a magazine containing a supply of sanitary covers, and means operating when said seat is moved toward said bowl to automatically place one of said covers upon the seat.

l5. |loilet apparatus comprising a bowl, a movable seat normally occupying an inoperative position, means for moving said seat to an operative position on said bowl and for restoring the seat to its inoperative position, a magazine containing a supply of sanitary covers, means operating during each cycle of movement of said seat to place one of said covers on said seat as it advances to operative position, and means operating when the seat is moved away from said bowl to automatically remove the cover from said seat.

l5. The combination a toilet bowl, of a seat, means for advancing said seat into operative position and withdrawing it into an inoperative position, a plurality of sanitary covers for said seat, automatically operable means for feeding a cover to the seat as it advances to operative position, and means for stripping the cover from the seat as it withdraws into inoperative position.

17. Toilet apparatus comprising a toilet bowl, a seat normally in inoperative position relative to the bowl, means for moving the seat to an operative position over the bowl, a sanitary cover for the seat, and means for placing the sanitary cover on the seat as the latter advances to operative position over the bowl.

i8. Toilet apparatus comprising a toilet bowl, a seat normally in inoperative position relative to the bowl, means for moving the seat to an operative position over the bowl, a sanitary cover for the seat, means for placing the sanitary cover on the seat as the latter advances to operative position over the bowl, and means for withdrawing the seat to inoperative position..

19. The combination with a toilet bowl of a seat, means for advancing said seat into operative position and withdrawing it into an inoperative position, a plurality of sanitary covers for said seat, and automatically operable means for feeding a cover to and placing it on the seat as it advances to operative position. Y

20. ln toilet apparatus of the character de` scribed, a toilet bowl, a seat normally in inoperative position relative to the bowl, a main driven shaft, means connecting the shaft and the seat, a motor adapted to drive the shaft a predetermined amount in one direction whereby the seat is moved to operative position over the bowl, and means for reversing the motor and reactuating the same whereby the shaft is driven a predetermined amount in the reverse direction for returning the seat to inoperative position.

2l. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a toilet bowl, a seat normally in inoperative position relative to the bowl, means for moving the seat to an operative position over the bowl, a plurality of sanitary seat covers, means for placing a seat cover on the seat, and means for returning the seat to inoperative position actuated by slightly depressing and then raising the seat when in operative position,

22. Toilet apparatus comprising a toilet bowl, a seat unattached to said bowl, said seatbeing normally in inoperative position relative to the bowl, means including a motor for moving the seat to an operative position over the bowl, a

pad of sanitary covers for the seat, and means for removing a cover from said pad and placing it on the seat as it advances to operative positionA 23. Toilet apparatus comprising a toilet bowl, a seat movable relative to said bowl, said seat being normally in inoperative position relative to the bowl, means including a motor for moving the seat to an operative position, a pad or" sanitary covers for the seat, means for removing a cove: from said pad and placing it on the seat as it advances to operative position, automatical- 1y operable means for returning the seat to inoperative position, and means for stripping the cover from the seat as it is returned to inoperative position.

MAX G. GOLD. DANIEL A. MORITZ.

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